Child Victims Act takes effect Wednesday

State lawmakers confident courts can handle thousands of expected lawsuits

State lawmakers say New York’s court system will effortlessly absorb thousands of lawsuits expected to be filed under the Child Victims Act, which takes effect Wednesday.

In February, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, signed into law legislation that gives victims of childhood sexual abuse more time to seek criminal charges or file lawsuits against abusers.

Victims can file civil lawsuits unit they are 55 and seek criminal charges until 28, as opposed to 23 under the old law. The measure was approved by the Democratically-controlled state Legislature.

Reports suggest that thousands of lawsuits may be headed into the state court system.

But those such as Assemblyman Kevin Cahill,

D-Kingston, say the system will handle it. Cahill represents the 103rd Assembly District.

“There have been statute of limitation ‘reopeners’ in the past,” Cahill pointed out. “Our court system was capable of absorbing those cases and there is no reason to believe that anything

different would happen this time.”

Cahill said the number of lawsuits could be in the thousands.

“Hundreds, perhaps thousands of victims have been denied justice for too long already,” Cahill said. “Our action this year will finally allow them to begin the process of putting a horrible chapter in the past.”

State Sen. Jen Metzger, D-Rosendale, felt similarly. Metzger represents the

42nd Senate District.

“While the law may put some pressure on the judicial system, justice demands that abusers be held accountable for their actions and the devastating impacts they have had on the lives of victims,” Metzger said in a statement. “I have confidence that our court system is up to the task of trying these cases and holding perpetrators accountable.”

State Sen. James Skoufis,

D-Cornwall, said in a Freeman livestream interview last week he thinks lawsuits will flood into the court system. Skoufis represents the 39th Senate District.

“Possibly, (there will be thousands) but in no way should that be the reason why we do or not do something in New York state ... . ,” Skoufis said. “I think there might be thousands, but these individuals deserve their day in court.

Assemblyman Chris

Tague, R-Schoharie, supported the Child Victims Act. It was members of Tague’s party in the Senate who, in the past, had blocked the measure.

Some large institutions such as the Catholic Church fought against its passage.

“My vote for the Child Victims Act is very straightforward,” Tague said in a statement. “Our primary goal as legislators should be to protect our children, end of story.”

“Ensuring we can stop those who would commit some of the most heinous crimes against innocents is something we can all support,” Tague added. “Bringing recourse to victims is the goal here and strengthening the laws surrounding these crimes and shutting the book on these perpetrators is something I think we can all stand together on.”

Tague represents the 102nd Assembly District.